Lucas Vazquez is out of contract at Real Madrid next summer (Getty Images)
Back in July last year, a report from Spanish outlet Defensa Central (h/t Express) had claimed that Tottenham were interested in signing Real Madrid star Lucas Vazquez.
It was even mentioned that the Lilywhites were prepared to pay £14.5million to lure the Spanish international to North London but he eventually ended up staying put at the Bernabeu.
After playing a bit-part role at Madrid last term, Vazquez has redeemed himself as a key squad player under Zinedine Zidane this season, albeit in an unfamiliar right-back role.
However, the 29-year-old’s long-term future at Madrid remains up in the air. Vazquez’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season. With the player yet to put pen to paper on fresh terms, the door could open for Tottenham to try their luck in the sumemr.
Tottenham aren’t really in desperate need of bringing in a new wide attacker in the summer. It would still make sense, however, for Jose Mourinho to reshape his options in that department. Gareth Bale’s loan deal clearly hasn’t worked out well and the Welshman is expected to return to Madrid at the end of the season.
Heung-min Son has been a star performer on the left, shouldering the bulk of Tottenham’s goalscoring workload alongside England captain Harry Kane. However, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the Lilywhites have lacked enough goal contributions from some of the other players in the squad.
Steven Bergwijn is yet to find the net in 14 league appearances so far this season while Erik Lamela has been limited to a bit-part role in the set-up. Lamela has cut a frustrated figure due to his lack of game time. With the Argentine set to enter the final 12 months of his contract at the end of the season, Tottenham will surely need to make a decision on his future.
Lucas Moura is also down the pecking order after a lacklustre campaign last time around. That should further prompt Mourinho to weigh up some alternatives in the market.
Putting things into context, Tottenham need better competition for places in the final third to reduce the dependence on Kane and Son. A potential move for Lucas Vazquez, to the end, would offer Mourinho more depth and cover up top.
The 29-year-old has spent the entirety of his career in Spain so far. After spending several years in Madrid’s reserves, Vazquez made his debut back in 2015 and has flourished as a key squad player at the Bernabeu over the past five seasons.
The 9-cap Spain international has amassed a decent tally of 26 goals and 50 assists in 229 appearances for Madrid in all competitions so far. Vazquez has won two La Liga titles and three Champions League crowns over the course of his trophy-laden spell at the Bernabeu.
Hence, it’s a no-brainer that his quality, winning mentality and experience would improve Tottenham’s attack. The right-winger still has plenty to offer at 29 while his ability to play in multiple positions down the right should make him a real asset to Mourinho’s dynamics.